Don, one of our NDNation guys who is very into women's basketball wrote this after watching the UCLA/Buckeyes game. UCLA had a double-digit lead with some three minutes left and Ohio State went on a 9-0 roll to make it a two-possession game. However, that was as close as it got. Some thoughts while watching the game: - UCLA got 33 points out of Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic, who comes off the bench to apply length and some outside shooting. They pulled down 19 offensive rebounds, resulting in 33 or so second-chance points. To me, that was the game. Can't keep giving them second chances and eventually shooters like Gianna Kneepkens and Gabriela Jasquez hit relatively open jumpers. - In particular, Betts had 9 offensive rebounds and 16 overall. She's not just really tall, but gets excellent position. And she didn't miss gimmes. I'm still not sure of her ability past 10 feet, but I'm not sure it really matters for this team: Dujalic can handle that. Betts is, however, a pretty adept post to post passer with Dugalic and her sister, Sienna. - As noted, Kneepkens had an off-shooting night (4-12), but hit a few when OSU made its charge. - UCLA has two field generals: Kiki Rice and Charlisse Ledger-Walker. Both had 4 assists. They were matched up against the Cambridge sisters and Chance Gray, all of whom are very quick and athletic, so this may have cut down on dribble penetrations. In fact, both Cambridges had three steals, all of which led to layups while I was watching. - OSU frequently went with a four guard - one center lineup, which may have been one reason Betts and Dugalic were having field days on the O-boards. The center is 6'8" Elsa Lemmila, a sophomore from Finland. She scored 13 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 blocks. Yes, she was schooled by Betts, but there's potential there. Ohio State continually finds talented bigs from Europe. It was McGuff who recruited Dorka Jahusz before she transferred to UConn. Notre Dame should check the OSU coaching staff's international flight itineraries. - Jaloni Cambridge is the more talented offensive player of the Cambridge sisters, scoring 28 points on 11-19 shooting. She's a scorer and can be a bit me-centric, but she plays hard all over the court and gets to the lane consistently. - Lastly, Chloe Kitts younger sister, Kylee, transferred from Florida after an injury-plagued frosh year and starts for the Buckeyes. She didn't score or play much yesterday due to the decision to play a center against Betts/Dugalic and four guards, but she normally averages in double figures and grabs 7 rebounds per game. Good transfer pickup...solid forward.
Terry, I watched bits and pieces of the game, but the above article is very accurate. We had matchup problems all day long. Painful to watch at times.
Game Day! Time to shut up the annoying Miami fans yet again! I hope Ryan calls a clean game and doesn’t try to get too cute with the play calls. Let’s get the run game going early and then let Julian cook to our two stud receivers. I stand by my 27-10 pick.
Hey SD Kid...does the Camels Breath Inn still Exist?...right down the road and East of Admiral Baker?